Modern Mining June 2024

DIAMONDS

‘Life-changing’ diamond awards aim to redefine luxury Giving wings to aspiring jewellery designers, De Beers has been broadening the avenues of beneficiation in the diamond sector through its Shining Light Awards. According to Kagiso Fredericks, Beneficiation Manager at De Beers, the awards competition challenges young design talent to redefine luxury – and rewards them with life-changing prizes. Young designers from all four of De Beers’ countries of operation are invited to add their creative genius to the art of jewellery design.

Kagiso Fredericks, Beneficiation Manager at De Beers.

“ W e are starting the process of attracting applicants for this year’s Shining Light Awards,” says Fredericks. “After the designs are produced and judged, we are planning to announce the winners in the last quarter of 2024.” Started in 1996, the Shining Light Awards – also known as the De Beers Group Design Initiative – began with the aim of showcasing South Africa’s design talent to the world. Fifteen years ago, the pro gramme was extended to Botswana and Namibia, the two other host countries of De Beers opera tions in Africa. Entrants from Canada were then also included in the awards five years ago. The focus on youth helps to capture emerging creativity and to facilitate access to the sector, he explains. “The consumer market today is flooded with lux ury goods, so the Shining Light Awards encourage designers to think beyond the conventional brands – and to extend their personal, cultural and artistic boundaries,” says Fredericks. “For younger genera tions, especially millennials, there is often a feeling that luxury is being defined for them and not by them. These awards are an opportunity to place them in a more empowered position to define their own sense of luxury through diamond jewellery design.”

The art of diamond jewellery creation inspires extraordinary heirlooms.

Three top designs from each of De Beers’ four host countries are chosen, and the winners are rewarded with prizes that could change their lives. In previous years, for instance, the first prizes included a year-long post-graduate scholarship in one of the world’s fashion capitals. While this year’s prizes have yet to be announced, the second and third prizes in the past have also focused on valuable educational opportunities and internships. Another important outcome of the awards, Fredericks highlights, is that the winning designs are considered for actual production – through an engagement between De Beers and its Sightholders. “Our customers remain an integral part of the Shining Light Awards, as our Sightholders have been important sponsors behind turning designs into jew ellery,” he says. Inclusivity To bring as many potential participants as possible into the Shining Light Award process, De Beers works with schools, colleges and incubators to

De Beers has been providing a platform to champion talented young designers for over 20 years.

16  MODERN MINING  June 2024